[ad_1]
By Dipaneeta Das: No one can claim the land until the lease notice expires, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said in his reply to Visva Bharati University’s eviction notice. In a formal letter to the university, the economist wrote that his Shantiniketan home ‘Pratichi’ has been in possession and in regular use by his family since 1943.
The letter comes a day before Visva Bharati is expected to deliver its final decision on the disputed land on April 19.
“The use of the land has remained the same over 80 years. Any contrary claim to this leased land before the expiry of the lease cannot stand,” Sen wrote in his letter.
Also Read | Amartya Sen may have to vacate Shantiniketan home over rift with Viswa Bharti
His response came after the Visva Bharati University issued an eviction notice on April 14 for his Shantiniketan residence amid the ongoing row with the varsity authorities over disputed land. The notice was put up at Pratichi’s gate.
“Sri Amartya Kumar Sen, the alleged unauthorised occupant, himself applied to Visa Bharati, the owner of the premises, for the continuation of (or rather, the mutation of the lease originally granted to his father, late Ashutosh Sen on 27.10.1943 by the Visa Bharati Society) 1.25 acres of land in the concerned public premises … He also applied to Visva Bharati for permission for construction on this premises,” the notice read.
The eviction notice came after a court in Bolpur, on April 13, permitted the imposition of Section 145 on the ‘disputed’ land, taking cognizance of police reports claiming a potential escalation of rift leading to a possible breach of peace.
Sen has been the holder of the land after the death of his parents, Ashutosh Sen and Amita Sen. Currently in the US, he is expected to return to Shantiniketan in June.
(With inputs from Santanu Hazra)
Also Read | Visva Bharati University sends eviction notice to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen in Shantiniketan
[ad_2]
